Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine for business and luxury travelers, announces Asiana Airlines as the 2011 Airline of the Year and Shangri- La Hotels and Resorts as the 2011 Hotel of the Year. This marks the first year Global Traveler awarded Airline and Hotel of the Year nods.

“We are thrilled to announce these new awards and even more excited with the inaugural winners,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. “Asiana is continually recognized for its excellence, and the airline delivers a truly luxurious experience to passengers. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are some of the finest 5-star properties in the world.”

A selected panel of Global Traveler employees and Advisory Board members, known as the Year Committee, chose the winners, based on information completed by the individual airlines and hotels, outside research and experience.

Airlines and hotels were invited to participate, and only those invited were considered for the honor. Participants submitted an application with pertinent information including financial data, occupancy rates, load factors, on-time figures, safety records and menus. Airlines and hotels that did not submit the required information were evaluated solely on the independent research of the Year Committee. Once an airline or hotel is selected, it is ineligible to participate for three years. This year, a total of 32 airlines and 20 hotels were asked to participate.

The winners will be celebrated at a cocktail event tonight, Dec. 1, 2011, at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. For more information on Asiana Airlines and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, check out the December issue of Global Traveler. For more information about Global Traveler, visit newgtsite.wpengine.com.

Airline of the Year 2011
Winner: Asiana Airlines

Honorable Mentions:
American Airlines Hainan Airlines Lufthansa
South African Airways
United Airlines

Hotel of the Year 2011
Winner: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Honorable Mentions:
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Mandarin Oriental
Marriott Hotels and Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton
W Hotels and Resorts

About Global Traveler/FXExpress Publications, Inc.
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer; eFlyerAsia and several annuals; and also operating newgtsite.wpengine.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and blog.globaltravelerusa.com.